From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) to study a report on how best to ensure effective policy design and implementation with a view to implementing some of its recommendations.
According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, a report, entitled: “Getting Things Done: Strategies for Policy and Programme Implementation in Nigeria,” was presented to the president by the Senior Executive Course 43 (2021) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.
The president assured the course participants that it would be treated with the seriousness and urgency it deserves.
“As such, I am directing the MDAs and the National Steering Committee on the Vision 2050 to study the report, with the view to diligently consider the recommendations presented and incorporate them as part of over-all execution strategy,” he said.
Buhari told the course participants that his administration has invested great efforts in the provision of good governance and making tremendous progress at getting the desired results.
The president said: “This report becomes important and timely in our quest to enhance service delivery to our citizens.”
On the importance of NIPSS and its course participants, the president noted it was always a delight to receive their input on important issues that are of very great concern to the government and the nation.
“No nation will progress without paying close attention to the ways policies are made and implemented, as it is often unclear how best to ensure effective policy design and implementation.
“The gaps between policy design and programmes implementation must be closed in order for our country to continue to make meaningful progress.
“This was why I charged participants of the Senior Executive Course No. 43, 2021 to work on the theme: “Getting Things Done: Strategies for Policy and Programme Implementation in Nigeria,” he said.
Alluding to the report and the presentation done by participants of Course 43, the president said their research had drawn attention to the numerous efforts of his administration in policy and programme implementation, as well as the challenges faced.
He acknowledged that the report also generated constructive and compelling recommendations with adequate implementation strategies.
“The structure, content and mode of presentation of this report shows great commitment and hard work that has gone into it.
“This confirms to me and our administration of the consistency and reliability of the national institute in delivering on very critical and sensitive assignments of national importance.
“While I congratulate the participants for justifying the confidence in nominating you for this course, I wish to commend the national institute for once more living up to expectations.”